Brazil stars line up against Ireland

Brazil’s starting line-up for tonight's prestigious friendly at Lansdowne Road includes eight of the players who took part in their World Cup final triumph over Germany two years ago.

Goalkeeper Dida, Ze Roberto and young striker Kaka are the three faces who did not play on that momentous day in Japan, and the team includes the likes of Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Manchester United’s Kleberson and Gilberto Silva of Arsenal.

Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr is going for safety first with an experienced line-up and experiments with just two unfamiliar faces in midfield.

Graham Kavanagh of Stoke and Nottingham Forest star Andy Reid are given their chance to stake a claim ahead of this year’s start of the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Rep of Ireland: Given, O’Shea, Cunningham, O’Brien, Andy Reid, Holland, Kavanagh, Kilbane, Keane, Morrison, Finnan. Subs: Doherty, Harte, McAteer, Kenny, Carsley, Delap, Connolly, Lee, Stack.

Brazil: Dida, Cafu, Lucio, Roque Junior, Carlos, Kleberson, Ronaldinho, Silva, Kaka, Ze Roberto, Ronaldo. Subs: Marcos, Belletti, Juan, Edmilson, Junior, Rochemback, Julio Baptista, Juninho Paulista, Fabiano, Adriano.

Referee: Anders Frisk (Sweden)